Dear Kevin,

I am currently beginning my first boat wiring project, a total rewire of a small Owens cruiser from the late ’60s.

Here’s my problem:

The old wiring runs behind the original paneling and headliner. I could try dismantling everything to remove and replace the wires, but am concerned about damaging any of the woodwork. It’s old. It’s gorgeous. It would be a bitch to replace.

I don’t mind leaving the old wiring in place and just running a new harness, but that still leaves the problem of installing the new wires without causing any damage.

Any ideas?

RP

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Kevin.

Kevin,

Ok, I have a good one for you.

I am working on a 1984 Trojan 10 Meter with twin 454.

The problem that I am having is when starting the starboard engine the port engine cranks over as well. Of course, that engine will not start because the ignition is in the off position.

One more thing. When starting the port engine the starboard engine does not crank!

What do you think?

Hi,

The boat wiring on a 1984 454 is very simple.

The yellow/red wire goes from the key switch S position, to a neutral safety switch, and to the starter.

I would try eliminating components in the system one at a time to find the problem.

The crossed wire is probably at the neutral safety or ignition switches. Sometimes starter wires get mangled in the shifter controls or there is some form of ignition combining circuit (used to power fuel gauge, depth finder, etc) that has a crossed or shorted wire.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

In your reply to David’s inquriy about his Shift Interruptor Switch you recommended that he determine if the HEI Distributor is ignition protected.

Could you tell me how to determine if the distributor is ignition protected?

Thank you,

Ken

Ken,

Most boat wiring components are clearly labeled as Ignition Protected. If not, I would see if this information is available at the manufacturer’s website.

Ignition Protection testing is an expensive undertaking. So, if the distributor has passed, the manufacturer should be more than happy to tell you about it.

Kevin

Hello:

I have a question and hope someone may be able to point me in the right direction.

I have a 1989 Maxum 2300SC. It originally had an 898 Mercruiser engine and Alpha 1 outdrive. I believe that would have been a 305 Chevrolet. I purchased the boat about one month ago and was told the engine is now a 350 that still has all the original 898 brackets etc…

The engine is fine. The outdrive is fine. My problem is in shifting. My shift cable to the outdrive is extremely easy to push and shift so it appears fine.

I have checked the “Shift Interrupter Switch” and it is disconnected. I would like to rewire the switch to make sure it is either good or bad then replace it.

My problem lies with the fact that the distributor has also been changed. It is no longer a Points type ignition. It has been replaced by a Chevy HEI ignition. Is there a difference in a stock HEI distributor and a marine distributor? Can I make mine work?

This being said, Can I rewire the switch to this distributor? If so how?

I have a white wire with green stripe connected to the switch but lying freely on the top of the manifold. Not sure where it went. Also have ground from switch disconnected but I see where it goes. I also understand that the old switch that I have is no longer made. If mine is bad, I will need to order a new replacement. If I have to have the replacement, can it be wired to this distributor?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

David

David,

Distributor and Starter

It is very important to determine if the HEI distributor is ignition protected. Most automotive systems are not. It needs to have a UL 1500 ignition protected (or equivalent) rating to be safe. If the previous owner installed a non-ignition protected distributor, I would also check the starter.

Shift Interrupter

Most shift interrupters worked off on the negative side of the coil. They would momentarily ground the coil and cause the engine to hesitate while shifting. Most automotive HEI ignitions do not give access to the negative side of the coil. They have a tachometer output that does not interrupt the engine ignition when it is grounded.

A Mercury Marine HEI ignition system from the same era would have a shift interrupter output.

Converting back to a coil system would give you a connecting point to the shift interrupter.

Thanks,

Kevin